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Summary Of Lather And Nothing Else By Hernando Tellez

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1)What is the setting of the Story?

The setting of “Lather and Nothing Else” by Hernando Tellez is in a barber shop because when Captain Torres enters, he asks for a shave. The story appears to be set in the 1800’s to 1900’s because the barber appears to be using a straight razor. It appears that the plot of the short story also happens during a revolution because when Captain Torres talked to the barber, he said “We caught the leaders. Some of them we brought back dead, the others are still alive but they’ll all be dead soon” (p. 13). This implies that there are two sides fighting over something and that there must be a war happening and is proven true when the barber states that he is secretly a revolutionary.

2)What is the conflict …show more content…

Suspense is built when Captain Torres closes his eyes while a razor is so close to his neck. This builds suspense since the reader wonders if the barber would take the risk and kill Captain Torres. Also, suspense is built when the conversation between the barber and Captain Torres becomes a bit suspicious. Although Captain Torres does not show any sign of knowing that the barber is a revolutionary, he continues to talk about executing the rebels, and continues to make the conversation more bloody. For example, when the barber asks, “will it be like the other day?” (p. 15) Captain Torres says in response, “it may be even better” (p. 15). It is almost like Captain Torres is tempting the barber to reveal that he is a rebel. This builds suspense because the reader might suspect that Captain Torres knows that the barber is a rebel and might kill the rebel. Another part where suspense is built is when the barber keeps on debating within himself if he should murder or not murder Captain Torres. Because a hair cut does not take that long, the opportunity slowly slips out of the barbers grasp as time ticks away. This builds suspense since the barber would have to make his move soon or else a …show more content…

For example, he tests the barber by entering the barber shop in the first place. He knows that the barber is a rebel and also knows that the barber could potentially kill him. He also keeps on talking about how he is going to murder the rebels. For example, he says, “we caught the leaders. Some of them we brought back dead, others are still alive. But they’ll all be dead soon” (p.13). This makes the barber more angry and increasing his hatred on Captain Torres because he keeps on talking about how he would murder the rebels. Captain Torres continues to test the barber when he closes his eyes when the barber begins to give him a shave. This makes Captain Torres more vulnerable to the barbers razor since as the barber explains to the reader, “I could cut his throat, so, swish, swish! He would not even have time to moan, and his with his eyes shut, he would not even see the shine of the razor or the gleam in my eye” (p. 16). Captain Torres continues to test the barber when he states that he will kill all the rebels and make it even bloodier than last time. It is almost like he is trying to convince the barber to kill him by saying these

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